Search for chlorobornanes in river sediments and in influents and effluents

In 1997, we collected nine river sediment samples, including one duplicate, from above and below three pulp and paper mills on the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin, USA, and one mill on Beaver Dam Creek in Ontario, Canada. We also obtained twenty split sediment samples from the Wisconsin River that were collected by the US EPA in collaboration with Indiana University. Finally, we collected influent and effluent samples from eight pulp and paper related industries in the US and Canada. We analyzed all sediment and water samples for hexa- through decachlorobornanes. We did not detect any chlorobornanes in most of the sediments. When chlorobornanes were detected, the concentration in sediments below pulp mills were similar to or less than in those from above the same mills. Chlorobornanes could not be detected in any of the influent or effluent samples. Thus, pulp and paper mills and relate facilities are not a source of chlorobornanes.     

Occurrence and treatment of arsenic in groundwater and soil in northern Mexico and southwestern USA

This review focuses on the occurrence and treatment of arsenic (As) in the arid region of northern Mexico (states of Chihuahua and Coahuila) and bordering states of the southwestern US (New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas), an area known for having high As concentrations. Information assembled and assessed includes the content and probable source of As in water, soil, and sediments and treatment methods that have been applied in the area. High As concentrations were found mainly in groundwater, their source being mostly from natural origin related to volcanic processes with significant anthropogenic contributions near mining and smelting of ores containing arsenic. The affinity of As for solid phases in alkaline conditions common to arid areas precludes it from being present in surface waters, accumulating instead in sediments and shifting its threat to its potential remobilization in reservoir sediments and irrigation waterways. Factors such as oxidation and pH that affect the mobility of As in the subsurface environment are mentioned. Independent of socio-demographic variables, nutritional status, and levels of blood lead, cognitive development in children is being affected when exposed to As. Treatments known to effectively reduce As content to safe drinking water levels as well as those that are capable of reducing As content in soils are discussed. Besides conventional methods, emergent technologies, such as phytoremediation, offer a viable solution to As contamination in drinking water.     

Accumulation in and effects of lead and cadmium on waterfowl and passerines in northern Idaho

Waterfowl and passerines in northern Idaho in 1987 had high levels of lead in their blood and tissues that originated primarily from mining and smelting activities. Four Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and one common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) found dead contained 8 to 38 microg/g (wet mass) of lead in their livers. These levels exceed the lower lethal limit of 5 microg/g in experimental birds. Two of the Canada geese (one each from the contaminated and reference areas) died with ingested lead shotgun pellets (shot) in their gizzards, whereas the other three birds from the contaminated area contained no ingested shot and evidently died from ingesting environmental lead in sediment or biota. Lead burdens in most American robins (Turdus migratorius) and mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were high, whereas those in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) were slightly elevated. Lead accumulated to potentially hazardous levels in blood and tissues of some nestling robins (maxima of 0.87 microg/g in blood and 5.6 microg/g in liver) and mallards (maxima of 10.2 microg/g in blood and 2.8 microg/g in liver). In mallards, lead levels and associated physiological characteristics of blood were significantly different in juveniles (HY) versus adults (AHY). Activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) was about 87 to 95% lower than values for control birds in experimental studies. Activity of ALAD was significantly inversely correlated with blood lead levels. Cadmium was detected in kidneys of most birds, but even the maximum concentration of 7.5 microg/g in an AHY mallard was below known harmful levels.     

Bacterial and archaeal diversity in oil fields and reservoirs and their potential role in hydrocarbon recovery and bioprospecting

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Hydrocarbon is a primary source of energy in the current urbanized society. Considering the increasing demand, worldwide oil productions are declining...     

Pinonaldehyde and some other organics in rain and snow in central Japan.

Solvent-extractable organic compounds in the rain and snow collected at local cities in the mountainous region in central Japan, were analyzed by GC/MS and GC. Pinonaldehyde (2,2-dimethyl-3-acetyl-cyclobutyl-ethanal), an atmospheric reaction product of alpha-pinene, was detected in the rain and snow for the first time, and n-alkanes (C17-C33), fatty acids (C8-C23), and benzoic acid were also detected as major organic components. Concentrations of pinonaldehyde, C17-C33 n-alkanes, C8-C11 fatty acids, C12-C23 fatty acids and benzoic acid ranged between <0.02-13, 0.10-35, 0.55-5.7, 4.2-19 and <0.02-6.0 microg/l, respectively. Their composition showed some difference in summer and winter. In summer, fatty acids and benzoic acid were more abundant, while pinonaldehyde and n-alkanes were much less. Higher photochemical reactivity and higher bioactivity in summer could explain these seasonal changes except for pinonaldehyde, which would suffer from further oxidation in the atmosphere after its photochemical production from alpha-pinene. Predominance of pinonaldehyde and C12-C23 fatty acids in the rain and snow showed a remarkable contrast to n-alkanes in aerosol phase, which were the most abundant components. It indicated that oxygenated products from biogenic compounds might be important as cloud condensation nuclei in forest areas.     

Total mercury and mercury species in birds and fish in an aquatic ecosystem in the Czech Republic

Total mercury and mercury species (methylmercury-MeHg, inorganic mercury--Hg(2+)) were determined in the aquatic ecosystem Záhlinice (Czech Republic). Four tissues (muscle, intestines, liver and kidney) of three bird species--cormorant, great crested grebe and Eurasian buzzard, muscle tissues of common carp, grass carp, northern pike, goldfish, common tench, perch and rudd, aquatic plants (reed mace and common reed), sediments and water were analysed. Relative contents of MeHg (of total Hg) were in the range from 71% to 94% and from 15% up to 62% in the muscle and intestines and in liver, respectively, for all birds. Statistically significant differences were found between contents of MeHg in liver tissues of young and adult cormorant populations (F(4.60)=56.71, P<10(-5)). Relative contents of MeHg in muscle tissues of fishes were in the range from 65.1% to 87.9% of total Hg.     

Occurrence and profiles of organic sun-blocking agents in surface waters and sediments in Japanese rivers and lakes

Sun-blocking agents including eight UV filters (UVF) and 10 UV light stabilizers (UVLS) were measured in water and sediment collected from 22 rivers, four sewage treatment plant effluents (STPE) and three lakes in Japan. Total sun blocking agents levels ranged from N.D. to 4928 ng/L and from 2.0 to 3422 μg/kg dry wt in surface water and in sediment, respectively. Benzyl salicylate, benzophenone-3, 2-ethyl hexyl-4-methoxycinnamte (EHMC) and octyl salicylate were dominant in surface water receiving wastewater effluents and STPE, although UV-328, benzophenone and EHMC were dominant in other surface water except background sites. Three UVF and nine UVLS were observed from all sediment and their compositions showed similar patterns with UV-328 and UV-234 as the most prevalent compounds. Homosalate, octocrylene, UV-326, UV-327, UV-328 and UV-234 were significantly correlated with Galaxolide^® in sediments. Concentrations of UV-327 and UV-328 also had strong correlation between those of UV-326 in sediment.     

Genotypic and environmental variation in chromium, cadmium and lead concentrations in rice

Genotypic and environmental variation in Cr, Cd and Pb concentrations of rice grains and the interaction between these metals were investigated by using 138 rice genotypes grown in three contaminated soils. There were significant genotypic differences in the three heavy metal concentrations of rice grains, with the absolute difference among 138 genotypes in grain Cr, Cd and Pb concentrations being 24.5-, 9.1- and 23.8-folds, respectively, under the slightly contaminated soil (containing 4.61mgkg(-1) Cr, 1.09mgkg(-1) Cd and Pb 28.28mgkg(-1), respectively). A highly significant interaction occurred between genotype and environment (soil type) in the heavy metal concentrations of rice grains. Cr concentration in rice grains was not correlated with Cd and Pb concentration. However, there was a significant correlation between Cd and Pb in slightly and highly contaminated soils. The results suggest the possibility to develop the rice cultivars with low Cd and Pb concentrations in grain.     

Mercury and selenium in wild and experimental seals

This paper describes the tissue distribution of inorganic mercury, organic mercury and selenium in Dutch and British seals as well as in seals which were dosed with methylmercury under experimental conditions.In the experimental animals, a time-related increase of both mercury and selenium was found in liver and kidney after the administration of methylmercury, while in the other tissues examined, e.g. brain, thyroid, blood, only the concentrations of mercury increased.In the wild seals, it was also demonstrated that the selenium concentrations showed a positive correlation with the concentrations of mercury.Atomic ratios of mercury and selenium were close to one in the wild seals as was also found in previous studies. However, atomic ratios above one were found in seals fed additional methylmercury.In vitro studies with liver homogenates of seals did not provide evidence for the presence of a biochemical demethylation mechanism nor for any effect of selenium on the demethylation process.     

Characterisation and fingerprinting of PCBs in flue gas and ash from waste incineration and in technical mixtures

Congener patterns of mono- to deca-chlorinated biphenyls (PC1-10B) were evaluated in (a) waste incineration flue gases collected in the post-combustion zone of a laboratory-scale fluidized-bed reactor, (b) ashes from two different MSW incineration plants, and (c) published data of eight Aroclor formulations. The congener patterns of the flue gases, ashes, and Aroclor mixtures clearly differed from each other, likely reflecting differences in formation pathways. The flue gas congener patterns were largely dominated by the least chlorinated congeners, whereas the ashes displayed more evenly distributed patterns. The most abundant congeners indicated a preference for 3,3',4,4'-oriented substitution, which may be related to de novo-type formation involving perylene. Principal component analysis confirmed that congener patterns differed among the three matrices and also distinguished flue gases collected at 200 °C from those collected at 300 °C and 450 °C. This distinction could be partly explained by the degree of chlorination, although the substitution status of the ortho-position, and substitution in the 3,3',4,4'-positions also seemed to be influential. Injecting biphenyl into the post-combustion zone of the reactor did not alter the patterns, indicating that availability of the backbone structure is not a limiting factor for PCB formation.     

Flotation in water and wastewater treatment and reuse: recent trends in Brazil

This paper summarises environmental applications of conventional and unconventional flotation to remove pollutants from waters. Emphasis is given to the design features of innovative inline reactors, namely the Flocs Generator Reactor and Flocculation-Flotation, and their applications for the flocculation and flotation in solid-liquid separations involving water (and wastewater) treatment and reuse. Applications are shown in potable water clarification, treatment and water reuse from car washing units and in the treatment of acid mine drainage. Results show that these inline flocculation (or flotation) separators have a great potential for water/wastewater treatment and reuse, especially in applications requiring high rate solid-liquid separations.     

鸢尾和菖蒲不同器官对富营养化水体中氮磷的积累效应

将鸢尾和菖蒲种植在椰丝基质上并放入富营养化的水塘中,实验在自然条件下进行.分别测定鸢尾和菖蒲的根、茎、叶不同器官中氮、磷的含量和植物种植期间生物量的变化状况.结果表明,植物根、茎、叶对氮、磷的积累量有显著差异,叶是两种植物积累氮、磷的主要器官;叶中的氮、磷积累量在实验后期,即11月中下旬时达到峰值;菖蒲各器官氮、磷含量均高于鸢尾,但是单株鸢尾对氮、磷的积累量比菖蒲大.     

Bromo- and bromochloro-dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the environment

At least 36 million pounds of brominated flame retardants are used in the U.S. annually. Most if not all of these materials enter the waste stream via landfilled plastic waste, municipal incinerator fly ash, or automotive fluff waste. Analytical methodology is summarized which is suitable for environmental monitoring of these wastes, and the significance of the analytical results is discussed.     

Fungi and bacteria in mould-damaged and non-damaged office environments in a subarctic climate

The fungi and bacterial levels of the indoor air environments of 77 office buildings were measured in winter and a comparison was made between the buildings with microbe sources in their structures and those without such sources. Penicillium, yeasts, Cladosporium and non-sporing isolates were the commonest fungi detected in the indoor air and in settled dust, in both the mould-damaged and control buildings. Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus glaucus and Stachybotrys chartarium were found only in environmental samples from the mould-damaged buildings. Some other fungi, with growth requiring of water activity, a_w, above 0.85, occurred in both the reference and mould-damaged buildings, but such fungi were commoner in the latter type of buildings. The airborne concentrations of Penicillium, Aspergillus versicolor and yeasts were the best indicators of mould damage in the buildings studied. Penicillium species and A. versicolor were also the most abundant fungi in the material samples. This study showed that the fungi concentrations were very low (2–45 cfu m⁻³ 90% of the concentrations being <15 cfu m⁻³) in the indoor air of the normal office buildings. Although the concentration range of airborne fungi was wider for the mould-damaged buildings (2–2470 cfu m⁻³), only about 20% of the samples exceeded 100 cfu m⁻³. The concentrations of airborne bacteria ranged from 12 to 540 cfu m⁻³ in the control buildings and from 14 to 1550 cfu m⁻³ in the mould-damaged buildings. A statistical analysis of the results indicated that bacteria levels are generally <600 cfu m⁻³ in office buildings in winter and fungi levels are <50 cfu m⁻³. These normal levels are applicable to subarctic climates for urban, modern office buildings when measurements are made using a six-stage impactor. These levels should not be used in evaluations of health risks, but elevated levels may indicate the presence of abnormal microbe sources in indoor air and a need for additional environmental investigations.     

Associations between CB-153 and p,p'-DDE and hormone levels in serum in middle-aged and elderly men

BACKGROUND: Animal and epidemiologic data indicate that exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) may disrupt the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) and the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes. We have assessed whether the POP-biomarkers 2,2'4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-ethene (p,p'-DDE) affect thyrotropin (TSH), thyroid hormones, gonadotropins or sex hormone concentrations in men. METHODS: Lipid adjusted serum concentrations of CB-153, and p,p'-DDE, were determined in 196 men (median age 59 years, range 48-82). Hormone analyses in serum were performed with immunoassays. The effect of CB-153 and p,p'-DDE (as continuous or categorized variables) were evaluated by linear regression models, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: There was a significant positive association between p,p'-DDE and TSH. An increase of 100 ng/g lipid of p,p'-DDE corresponded to an increase of 0.03 mU/l (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.01, 0.05) in TSH level. The explanatory value (R(2)) of the multivariate model was only 7%. Moreover, there was a significant negative association between p,p'-DDE and estradiol. An increase of 100 ng/g lipid of p,p'-DDE corresponded to a decrease of 0.57 pmol/l (95% CI -1.0, -0.12) in estradiol level. The R(2)-value was only 4%. No associations were observed between any of the POP biomarkers and the other hormones. CONCLUSIONS: The positive association between p,p'-DDE and TSH and the negative association between p,p'-DDE and estradiol, among middle-aged and elderly men, were not accompanied by associations between the POP-markers and thyroxin, testosterone, and gonadotropins, respectively. The results gives some additional support for that POP exposure may affect HPT- and HPG-axes also in humans, but the overall epidemiological data are still not coherent enough to allow any firm conclusions.     

Total mercury, methyl mercury, and carbon in fresh and burned plants and soil in Northwestern Ontario

Terrestrial plants and soil contain substantial amounts of organic carbon (C) and mercury. Flooding terrestrial areas stimulates microbial methyl mercury (MeHg) production and fish obtain elevated MeHg concentrations. Our purpose was to determine the loss of C, total mercury (THg), and MeHg from boreal plants and soil after burning to assess the potential of burning before flooding to lower MeHg. Fresh plants contained 4 to 52 ng g(-1) dry weight (dw) of THg and 0.1 to 1.3 ng g(-1) dw of MeHg. Upland soils contained 162+/-132 ng g(-1) dw of THg and 0.6+/-0.6 ng g(-1) dw of MeHg. Complete burning caused plants to lose 96, 98, 97, and 94% of the mass, C, THg, and MeHg, respectively. Upland soil lost 27, 95, 79, and 82% of the mass, C, THg, and MeHg, respectively. Our results demonstrated that a substantial loss of C, THg, and MeHg was caused by burning.     

Photodegradation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in aqueous solutions and in organic solvents

Aqueous solutions of selected polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were prepared using a generator column and exposed to UV (300 nm) light in the laboratory and to sunlight in an outdoor environment. In the laboratory, additional exposures were also carried out using 60% acetonitrile/water solutions. At 300 nm di- and tetra PCDDs had higher first-order photodegradation rate constants in 60% acetonitrile/water than in pure water. The solvent effect was reversed for PCDFs. These results may be a reflection of the higher polarity of PCDFs compared to PCDDs. In both the indoor and outdoor exposures photodegradation rates decreased with increasing concentrations of chlorination. However, OCDF exposed to 300 nm light in 60% acetonitrile/water and to sunlight in pure water photodegraded more rapidly than tetra CDF. Photolysis rates in sunlight were considerably slower (t(1/2) of 6.4-23 h) than photolysis rates at 300 nm in the laboratory (t(1/2) of 4.3-680 min), reflecting the lower intensity of sunlight in the 300 nm region of the UV/Vis spectrum. The extent of dechlorination of the PCDDs/PCDFs was less than 20% and reductive dechlorination does not appear to be a major process in the photodegradation of PCDDs/PCDFs in aqueous solutions.     

Egg mass and shell thickness in dippers Cinclus cinclus in relation to stream acidity in Wales and Scotland

The shell thickness and mass of eggs of the dipper (Cinclus cinclus) collected on streams of different pH in Wales and Scotland were measured. The aluminium, phosphorus and calcium content of their invertebrate prey were also measured. In a regression analysis, significant at p<0.05, stream pH accounted for up to 7% of the variance in shell thickness, with shells decreasing by 2.5% of the overall mean with each unit of pH decline. In the Welsh sample, differences in shell thickness due to pH were small compared with differences between years across all sites. In data pooled between Scotland and Wales, pH accounted for 17% of the variance in egg mass, but a greater proportion (25%) in Scottish eggs alone. Aluminium concentrations in invertebrates showed no relationship with stream pH, but calcium levels in two insect orders increased significantly with pH. Calcium rich prey, such as Gammarus, were found only in circumneutral streams. The importance of calcium in the diet of dippers before and during egg formation is discussed. No evidence that aluminium in prey adversely affected dipper eggs was found.     

Carbamazepine and diclofenac: removal in wastewater treatment plants and occurrence in water bodies

In the aquatic environment, pharmaceuticals have been widely found. Among them, carbamazepine and diclofenac were detected at the highest frequency. To evaluate the worldwide environmental impacts of both drugs, their global consumption volumes are estimated, based on the dose per capita. The metabolites of these pharmaceuticals are also of environmental concerns, especially trans-10,11-dihydro-10,11- dihydroxycarbamazepine (CBZ-diol) which probably has a similar concentration in water bodies to that of its parent drug. The removal efficiencies and mechanisms of both drugs in the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are discussed with the actual state of knowledge. The occurrences of both drugs are examined in various water bodies including WWTP effluents, surface waters, groundwater and drinking water. Their chemical, physical and pharmacological properties are also addressed in context, which can largely influence their environmental behaviors. The ecotoxicological studies of both drugs imply that they do not easily cause acute toxic effects at their environmental concentrations. However their chronic effects need cautious attention.     

Elemental and organic carbon in urban canyon and background environments in Budapest,Hungary

As part of an international research project, aerosol samples were collected by several filter-based devices on Nuclepore polycarbonate membrane, Teflon membrane and quartz fibre filters over separate daylight periods and nights, and on-line aerosol measurements were performed by TEOM and aethalometer within an urban canyon (kerbside) and at a near-city background site in Budapest, Hungary from 23 April–5 May 2002. Aerosol masses in PM2.0, PM10–2.0, PM2.5, PM10 size fractions and of TSP were determined gravimetrically; atmospheric concentrations of organic (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) for PM2.5 (or PM2.0), PM10 fractions and for TSP were measured by thermal–optical transmission method. Repeatability of the mass determination by Nuclepore filters seems to be 5–6%. Collections on Teflon filters yielded smaller mass on average by 8(±12)% than that for the Nuclepore filters. Quartz filters overestimated the PM10 mass in comparison with the Nuclepore filters due primarily to sampling artefacts on average by 10(±16)% at the kerbside. Tandem filter set-ups were utilised for correcting the sampling artefacts for OC by subtraction method. At the kerbside, the aerosol mass was made up on average of 35(±4)% of organic matter (OM) in the PM10 fraction, while the contribution of OM to the PM2.5 mass was 43(±9)%. At the background, OM also accounted for 43(±13)% of the PM2.0 mass. On average, EC made up 14(±6)%, 7(±2)% and 4.5(±1.1)% of the mass in the PM2.5, PM10 fractions and TSP, respectively, at the kerbside; while its contribution was only 2.1(±0.5)% in the PM2.0 fraction in the near-city background. Temporal variability for PM mass, OC and EC concentrations was related to road traffic, local meteorology and long-range transport of air masses. It was concluded that a direct coupling between the atmospheric concentration levels and vehicle circulation can be identified within the urban canyon, nevertheless, the local meteorology in particular and long-range transport of air masses have much more influence on the air quality than changes in the source intensity of road traffic. Concentration ratios of OC/EC were evaluated, and the amount of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) was estimated by using EC as tracer for the primary OC emissions. Mean contribution and standard deviation of the SOA to the OM in the PM2.5 size fraction at the kerbside over daylight periods and nights were of 37(±18) and 46(±16)%, respectively.